✦ Plain-English Summary

Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020

What it does

This is a technical "clean-up" bill that makes adjustments to existing laws so they work properly with a new foreign relations law passed earlier in 2020. It updates two older laws — one about challenging government decisions in court, and one about foreign investment — to recognise the new foreign relations act.

Why it matters

These changes ensure that when the federal government uses its new powers to manage state and territory dealings with foreign countries, those decisions can be properly reviewed by courts if someone challenges them, and that sensitive information about foreign investment is properly protected.

Key details

• Court review powers: The bill adds decisions made under the new foreign relations act to the list of government decisions that can be challenged in court through judicial review.

• Investment information: It updates rules about confidential information in the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act so that sensitive details obtained under the new foreign relations law are treated the same way — meaning they stay protected.

• Commencement: The changes take effect at the same time as the main foreign relations law they support (not immediately), ensuring they activate together as a package.

Official Description

Amendment details : 1 Independent (Senator Patrick) agreed to

Committee Referrals

Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.